Council talks bridges and low water crossings
May 4, 2022 at 9:05 p.m.
Franklin County Council discussed funding options for the county's beleaguered bridges and low water crossings at its April 26 meeting.
The discussion began during the review of an addition appropriation of $80,000 out of the county's INDOT Old S.R. 1 fund, money received as part of a deal to take over maintenance of Old S.R. 1 west of Cedar Grove from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). Council member Brian Patterson inquired about the remaining balance in the Old S.R. 1 fund. County commissioner Tom Linkel replied the agreement included $3.185 million in compensation to the county; $635,000 was received in 2021 and the remainder expected in July. The highway department spent $92,251 in culvert repairs from the sum, $161,000 in asphalt materials and $1,000 in stone and gravel in 2021. The contract requires the county to reimburse $135,000 back to INDOT, which has already been set aside. Minus the $80,000 requested in the additional appropriation for a structure replacement on Sleepy Hollow Road, $134,000 remains until the $2.55 million payment from INDOT.
Patterson asked if any of that money is earmarked for bridges, roads or low water crossings. Linkel replied in the negative, before county engineer Larry Smith noted expected overruns for current bridge projects were planned to come from that fund. Patterson asked about other plans for the money; Linkel replied $550,000 in highway department trucks are planned.
Patterson asked about the potential to use some of the remaining money for low water crossings. Linkel replied it was unlikely due to bridge projects on the horizon. Smith reported the Water Street bridge in Oldenburg will require significant county funding, as will bridge 31, both being federal projects.
“Nobody wants to replace low water crossings more than I do. When I originally took office, [commissioner Tom] Wilson and I, back when we first started, our goal was to replace a low water crossing every year, and we were on schedule for a while. And then the floods came. We started losing bridges,”said Linkel.
He continued to explain the county's existing obligations to repair damaged bridges and those under federal contracts with local matches. Patterson asked how many low water crossings were in the county; Smith replied 25 or 26. Patterson asked how many were replaced in the past ten years; commissioners estimated five. Smith noted some of the important low water crossings will require replacement with a multi-million dollar bridge project, such as Pipe Creek Road. Linkel mentioned the county is also dealing with three locations where creeks are encroaching on roadbeds, which will require expensive repairs.
Patterson replied he felt the commissioners lacked a plan to deal with the county's infrastructure problems. He alleged with the exception of the 2020 tragedy at Sanes Creek, the county has had more frequent deaths at low water crossings than bridges. Patterson again emphasized the need to have a plan to best use the INDOT Old S.R. 1 funds. Council vice-president Joe Sizemore stated the county has had one fatality at a low water crossing in the past 24 years, on Pipe Creek.
Linkel issued a press release April 29 with more details on the Old S.R. 1 fund and obligations to that fund, which can be found at the end of the article.
Also discussed:
-Franklin County Economic Development commissioner John Palmer informed council the county's plan to distribute its American Recovery Plan Act funds is going well, with the first disbursement just approved by council to provide money for new radios for a local fire department. Palmer is working to organize a meeting with other fire departments to identify needs.
Patterson inquired how much money was available in the APRA fund; Palmer replied a total of $4.4 million, although $1 million has been set aside for the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program that begins next year, which will explore ways to stretch that funding, including a match from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). The county has until the end of 2024 to commit funding to projects and until the end of 2026 to complete.
-Palmer reported OCRA has awarded grant funding to Charter Communication, Southeastern Indiana REMC, Miles Communication and Frontier to expand broadband internet access in the county. This grant funding is on top of funding through the Federal Communications Commission Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
-Franklin County Health Department supervising nurse Deb Tibbetts brought concerns over the department's vaccine storage refrigerator that was discovered in a recent inspection and requested permission to pay $9,605 out of the state COVID immunization grant for a replacement.
After the meeting, Linkel released the following statement:
FOLLOW THE MONEY
Franklin County Commissioner Tom Linkel would like to make clear the use of county monies and plans for the future. While it is easy to say the county has this much money and it should be spent on this project or that project, there are very specific regulations and budget guidelines that must be adhered to in order to allow allocation of funds. If money is spent outside of those specific guidelines, then the money must be repaid.
Several LED lights were installed on low water crossings as funds were approved. Also, additional Advanced Warning signs are currently being ordered that will be installed shortly.
In reference to council's questions regarding the alleged $5 million:
The county will receive from the American Relief Plan Act (ARPA), $4,400,000. At this time, the county has received only half of the funds, $2,200,000. The American Relief Plan Act is a one-time fund from the federal government.
Of the funds received, $1 million of that has been earmarked as matching funds (1/3-2/3) for the OCRA Help Grant, which consists of a match that will increase that to $1,666,000. A plan for those funds cannot be developed until the county starts its participation in the program in 2023.
Initially, the remainder of the ARPA funds ($3,400,000) came with very specific spending requirements. Those funds are intended to help the county weather the impact of COVID and any subsequent losses from the accompanying slowdowns. Only very recently, those funds were opened up by new federal guidance to provide more flexibility. The county, with the help of its economic development, has been working to develop a plan for those funds, but this has been difficult as the rules keep changing.
The county is also to receive $3,185,000 from the State of Indiana in exchange for taking back a portion of Old State Route 1; only $635,000 has been received by the County to-date. Part of those funds ($135,000) must be paid back to the State to acquire the old state highway garage in Brookville. Another portion of those funds, $1,450,000, are earmarked to compensate the county for the cost of making necessary repairs to the roadway and equipment. That leaves roughly $1,739,827 on the Old State Road 1 funds. Since $2,550,000 of that money has not been received, it has not been allocated.
All of the above sources are one-time injections. They will not be replenished by any tax revenue once they are gone. Unfortunately, the County has needs that far exceed even these funds.
The cost of paving one mile is over $200,000. The cost of replacing just two low water crossings is estimated at $4 million. Even the cost of just LED signs on low water crossings was estimated at $160,000 and the first time an LED sign was attempted, it was quickly shot out and rendered useless by a local vandal.
Many county buildings will need upgrades in the near future. The sheriff, the EMA, local fire departments, the county EMS, and the highway are all constantly short on funds. In the long-run, we also need to try to encourage growth and development in the county to attempt to increase future tax revenues. The Franklin County Council and Commissioners have taken a more cautious approach as we economically recover from COVID, since we are aware that this money is unlikely to be replenished once it is gone.
So, understanding the funds in-hand explained above, the county has $1,835,000 available to spend at this time. Of this money, we are holding back $135,000 to pay INDOT for the highway garage. The county roughly spent $365,000 on road and bridge repair. With the remainder of the funds on-hand, the commissioners have considered helping with funds for the EMS and fire departments in order to keep our community safe. We have an estimated need of repair to the government building on Franklin Avenue of $900,000.
Therefore, the first round of funds received are currently in the process of commitment. The commitment of funds is a lengthy process - it goes from commissioners to economic development to county council and then back to the commissioners for final approval.
Furthermore, the county bridges are funded through a County Bridge Funding Account. The county Bridge fund currently has approximately $800,000. The County annual receipts for bridge repair are $550,000 per year. The county has planned around $4,000,000 to bridge repair in the upcoming years for future development. To make the bridge repairs planned over the next few years, the county must inject the County Bridge Fund with additional money from other sources to continue the repair and rebuilding needs of the county. If additional funds are not added to the Bridge Fund, it will be 5 or 6 years before any other projects can be committed to for the county.
Franklin County Commissioner Tom Linkel
Franklin County Board of Commissioners
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Franklin County Council discussed funding options for the county's beleaguered bridges and low water crossings at its April 26 meeting.
The discussion began during the review of an addition appropriation of $80,000 out of the county's INDOT Old S.R. 1 fund, money received as part of a deal to take over maintenance of Old S.R. 1 west of Cedar Grove from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). Council member Brian Patterson inquired about the remaining balance in the Old S.R. 1 fund. County commissioner Tom Linkel replied the agreement included $3.185 million in compensation to the county; $635,000 was received in 2021 and the remainder expected in July. The highway department spent $92,251 in culvert repairs from the sum, $161,000 in asphalt materials and $1,000 in stone and gravel in 2021. The contract requires the county to reimburse $135,000 back to INDOT, which has already been set aside. Minus the $80,000 requested in the additional appropriation for a structure replacement on Sleepy Hollow Road, $134,000 remains until the $2.55 million payment from INDOT.
Patterson asked if any of that money is earmarked for bridges, roads or low water crossings. Linkel replied in the negative, before county engineer Larry Smith noted expected overruns for current bridge projects were planned to come from that fund. Patterson asked about other plans for the money; Linkel replied $550,000 in highway department trucks are planned.
Patterson asked about the potential to use some of the remaining money for low water crossings. Linkel replied it was unlikely due to bridge projects on the horizon. Smith reported the Water Street bridge in Oldenburg will require significant county funding, as will bridge 31, both being federal projects.
“Nobody wants to replace low water crossings more than I do. When I originally took office, [commissioner Tom] Wilson and I, back when we first started, our goal was to replace a low water crossing every year, and we were on schedule for a while. And then the floods came. We started losing bridges,”said Linkel.
He continued to explain the county's existing obligations to repair damaged bridges and those under federal contracts with local matches. Patterson asked how many low water crossings were in the county; Smith replied 25 or 26. Patterson asked how many were replaced in the past ten years; commissioners estimated five. Smith noted some of the important low water crossings will require replacement with a multi-million dollar bridge project, such as Pipe Creek Road. Linkel mentioned the county is also dealing with three locations where creeks are encroaching on roadbeds, which will require expensive repairs.
Patterson replied he felt the commissioners lacked a plan to deal with the county's infrastructure problems. He alleged with the exception of the 2020 tragedy at Sanes Creek, the county has had more frequent deaths at low water crossings than bridges. Patterson again emphasized the need to have a plan to best use the INDOT Old S.R. 1 funds. Council vice-president Joe Sizemore stated the county has had one fatality at a low water crossing in the past 24 years, on Pipe Creek.
Linkel issued a press release April 29 with more details on the Old S.R. 1 fund and obligations to that fund, which can be found at the end of the article.
Also discussed:
-Franklin County Economic Development commissioner John Palmer informed council the county's plan to distribute its American Recovery Plan Act funds is going well, with the first disbursement just approved by council to provide money for new radios for a local fire department. Palmer is working to organize a meeting with other fire departments to identify needs.
Patterson inquired how much money was available in the APRA fund; Palmer replied a total of $4.4 million, although $1 million has been set aside for the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program that begins next year, which will explore ways to stretch that funding, including a match from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). The county has until the end of 2024 to commit funding to projects and until the end of 2026 to complete.
-Palmer reported OCRA has awarded grant funding to Charter Communication, Southeastern Indiana REMC, Miles Communication and Frontier to expand broadband internet access in the county. This grant funding is on top of funding through the Federal Communications Commission Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.
-Franklin County Health Department supervising nurse Deb Tibbetts brought concerns over the department's vaccine storage refrigerator that was discovered in a recent inspection and requested permission to pay $9,605 out of the state COVID immunization grant for a replacement.
After the meeting, Linkel released the following statement:
FOLLOW THE MONEY
Franklin County Commissioner Tom Linkel would like to make clear the use of county monies and plans for the future. While it is easy to say the county has this much money and it should be spent on this project or that project, there are very specific regulations and budget guidelines that must be adhered to in order to allow allocation of funds. If money is spent outside of those specific guidelines, then the money must be repaid.
Several LED lights were installed on low water crossings as funds were approved. Also, additional Advanced Warning signs are currently being ordered that will be installed shortly.
In reference to council's questions regarding the alleged $5 million:
The county will receive from the American Relief Plan Act (ARPA), $4,400,000. At this time, the county has received only half of the funds, $2,200,000. The American Relief Plan Act is a one-time fund from the federal government.
Of the funds received, $1 million of that has been earmarked as matching funds (1/3-2/3) for the OCRA Help Grant, which consists of a match that will increase that to $1,666,000. A plan for those funds cannot be developed until the county starts its participation in the program in 2023.
Initially, the remainder of the ARPA funds ($3,400,000) came with very specific spending requirements. Those funds are intended to help the county weather the impact of COVID and any subsequent losses from the accompanying slowdowns. Only very recently, those funds were opened up by new federal guidance to provide more flexibility. The county, with the help of its economic development, has been working to develop a plan for those funds, but this has been difficult as the rules keep changing.
The county is also to receive $3,185,000 from the State of Indiana in exchange for taking back a portion of Old State Route 1; only $635,000 has been received by the County to-date. Part of those funds ($135,000) must be paid back to the State to acquire the old state highway garage in Brookville. Another portion of those funds, $1,450,000, are earmarked to compensate the county for the cost of making necessary repairs to the roadway and equipment. That leaves roughly $1,739,827 on the Old State Road 1 funds. Since $2,550,000 of that money has not been received, it has not been allocated.
All of the above sources are one-time injections. They will not be replenished by any tax revenue once they are gone. Unfortunately, the County has needs that far exceed even these funds.
The cost of paving one mile is over $200,000. The cost of replacing just two low water crossings is estimated at $4 million. Even the cost of just LED signs on low water crossings was estimated at $160,000 and the first time an LED sign was attempted, it was quickly shot out and rendered useless by a local vandal.
Many county buildings will need upgrades in the near future. The sheriff, the EMA, local fire departments, the county EMS, and the highway are all constantly short on funds. In the long-run, we also need to try to encourage growth and development in the county to attempt to increase future tax revenues. The Franklin County Council and Commissioners have taken a more cautious approach as we economically recover from COVID, since we are aware that this money is unlikely to be replenished once it is gone.
So, understanding the funds in-hand explained above, the county has $1,835,000 available to spend at this time. Of this money, we are holding back $135,000 to pay INDOT for the highway garage. The county roughly spent $365,000 on road and bridge repair. With the remainder of the funds on-hand, the commissioners have considered helping with funds for the EMS and fire departments in order to keep our community safe. We have an estimated need of repair to the government building on Franklin Avenue of $900,000.
Therefore, the first round of funds received are currently in the process of commitment. The commitment of funds is a lengthy process - it goes from commissioners to economic development to county council and then back to the commissioners for final approval.
Furthermore, the county bridges are funded through a County Bridge Funding Account. The county Bridge fund currently has approximately $800,000. The County annual receipts for bridge repair are $550,000 per year. The county has planned around $4,000,000 to bridge repair in the upcoming years for future development. To make the bridge repairs planned over the next few years, the county must inject the County Bridge Fund with additional money from other sources to continue the repair and rebuilding needs of the county. If additional funds are not added to the Bridge Fund, it will be 5 or 6 years before any other projects can be committed to for the county.
Franklin County Commissioner Tom Linkel
Franklin County Board of Commissioners